TAXIS staying in the town for longer could help curb late night disturbance and violence in Amesbury, according to the town’s police chief.

Insp Christian Lange has called a meeting with the town’s Pubwatch members and taxi drivers in a bid to crackdown on problems after pubs and clubs close, and says having an easy means to get home could be the answer.

Insp Lange told last Tuesday’s meeting of Amesbury Town Council that there had been a number of cases of “rowdy behaviour” at kicking out time of the town’s pubs and clubs, and that the problem is getting gradually worse.

And encouraging taxis to stay in Amesbury until everyone had gone home would help to solve the problem.

“What happens is that taxis come to Amesbury at 1.30am when The George closes but then we don’t see them again,” he told the meeting.

“That means after the other venues close, at 2.15am you have people still looking for a taxi and that is just asking for trouble.

“I am going to call a meeting with the taxi firms and hope to encourage them to stay in town beyond 2am.”

The meeting also heard that the new Street Pastors scheme in Amesbury is working well, with volunteers handing out water and flip flops to weary revellers and helping them to deal with any problems.

Inspector Lange said he expected June to be a busy month with Amesbury carnival, the Summer Solstice and the World Cup football tournament.

• Plans are in place ahead of the Summer Solstice celebrations being held at Stonehenge on the morning of Saturday, June 21.

Inspector Lange said he expected it to be a busy year as the solstice falls on a weekend. Extra car parking has been organised near the Stonehenge visitor centre and signage will be placed as far back as the M3 advising people if the car park is full.

Public transport will be provided by & Dorset buses, and will run from Salisbury railway station.